They had had enough and didn't hesitate to show it.
What did not please the European authorities.
On Monday, the disciplinary committee of the EHF (European Handball Federation) fined the Norwegian beach handball team 1,500 euros (or 150 euros per player) for breaking international rules by playing against the Spain (match for 3rd place) in shorts rather than a bikini, the legal dress.
The reactions were not long in coming.
“In 2021, it shouldn't even be a topic,” said Eirik Sørdahl, president of the Norwegian Volleyball Federation.
"Such a macho vision of women belongs to another era," for its part indignantly a Norwegian regional newspaper on Tuesday in its editorial.
"It's completely ridiculous," had also tweeted Abid Raja, the Norwegian Minister of Culture, in charge of sports issues.
Bug, that attitude changes are necessary in the international macho and conservative world of sport.
"
Debt er fullstendig latterlig!
Fy søren så mye holdningsendringer som må til i gammelgrodd internasjonalt gubbevelde i idretten!
Herregud!
Det verste er at de bare ikke skjønner likestillingspoenget en gang!
Er'e mulig liksom ?!
https://t.co/40XKY0cEil
- Abid Raja (@abidraja) July 19, 2021
The Norwegian Federation has chosen to defend its players by saying they are ready to take the penalty, which could even have been heavier.
Facing Hungary, the Norwegians thus intended to wear a flexible cyclist stopping above the knees, explaining that it is not only a question of fighting against the sexualized image, but also of favoring their comfort, the bikini being too short and uncomfortable when on their period.
"We were first informed of a fine of 50 euros per person per match
(a total of 4850 euros for the whole competition)
that we were ready to pay," said Katinka Haltvik, one of the players, at the Norwegian media NRK.
Just before the match, we were told that we would be disqualified
(which the EHF denied)
because of the shorts.
We had to change and wear bikini bottoms to be able to play.
"
The bikini issue has been agitating beach sports for several years, where this very low-cut swimsuit is considered degrading and impractical by many players.
The regulations thus stipulate that “Women must wear a tight-fitting sports bra with openings at the arms.
The bottom must consist of a bikini that must not be more than 10 cm at the sides ”.
It got a bit spicy today in Varna at the # beacheuro2021 🔥😱 pic.twitter.com/6vEz5XDGZM
- HomeofHandball (@HomeofHandball) July 16, 2021
Where the absurd becomes concrete is that men play… in shorts!
"Can you imagine how many men would be dissuaded from playing this sport if they had to wear budgy smugglers (a kind of men's thong)?
»Wondered Rose Boyd, one of the players for the Australian team on The Feed site.
In beach volleyball, wearing a bikini is no longer compulsory since 2012.
Very quickly, the Norwegian team received the support of several countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, and also France.
"I lost players because of this imposed swimsuit," says Valérie Nicolas, the coach of the France team, to Fox News.
The players tell me that they don't feel comfortable, that they feel naked and watched.
"
Faced with this growing “Bikinigate”, it would not be surprising, and even advisable, to change mentalities.
The EHF explained through its spokesperson, Andrew Barringer, that "only the International Federation (IHF) can change the rules".
“The public present (facing Spain) encouraged our daring, concludes Katinka Haltvik.
It is a privilege to be able to pay this fine and we are aware of it.
Handball should be an inclusive and not an exclusive sport ”.
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